Japanese restaurants in Australia
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A
Don Don
A Japanese eatery, Don Don, serves great bentō (boxed lunches).
reviewed
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B
Chocolate Buddha
Slurping organic soup noodles, or sharing gyoza (dumplings) and steamed edamame (fresh soya beans) is a cheerful way to enjoy the vibe of Federation Square. Chummy communal tables, wireless waiters and a mechanised ordering system make the place feel like a futuristic uni caf. It could be the location or the organic ingredients, but Buddha's always busy.
reviewed
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Matsuri
You’ll feel a bit like a carp in a fish tank here – floor-to-ceiling glass runs the perimeter of this large, long-standing Japanese restaurant. The tempura udon with sushi set ($20) is enough to feed two salarymen.
reviewed
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D
Don Don
For years we’ve thumbed our way through diminutive Don Don’s faded photo menu, discovering consistently delicious dishes. Expect everything from chicken katsudon (rice bowl with deep-fried chicken, beef or pork, egg and condiments) to sashimi, mostly served with rice, miso and Japanese pickles on the side. Be prepared to queue.
reviewed
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E
Toko (Surry Hills)
A new concept for Sydney, Toko dishes up delicious modern Japanese tapas - such as a superb soft shell crab (around A$16) and eggplant with miso (around A$9). Expect to spend upwards of around A$30 a meal, more if you're a sashimi junkie. Check out the brilliant lighting feature made of chopsticks in the so-cool-it-hurts cocktail bar.
reviewed
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Kabuki by the Sea
Try the marinated una ju (eel) or the baby east-coast abalone. Incongruously, good Devonshire teas are also available. There's also accommodation (doubles $180) here that styles itself on a Japanese ryokan (inn). It's 12km south of Swansea.
reviewed
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F
Misuzu
The ground floor is a popular café, with a more formal restaurant upstairs. Misuzu’s menu includes whopping noodle, rice and curry dishes, tempuras and takeaway options from the neatly displayed sushi bar. Sit outside under lantern-hung trees, or inside surrounded by murals and dark wood. Pop next door to Umami for a drink and sample sake from a vast selection.
reviewed
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G
Toko
Great sushi, quick and easy, is on offer at this small but popular place. Warm up with a bowl of miso soup, then grab those rolls and nigiri morsels as they pass by. More substantial noodle soups, along with gyoza, yakitori and teriyaki, are also on the menu. End it all with dessert: tempura banana with green tea and vanilla-bean ice cream. Yum.
reviewed
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H
Yu-U
The sign is the size of a postage stamp and the doorway nondescript, so it’s easy to miss. This sparsely elegant basement restaurant does smart Japanese fare, artfully presented and assuredly delivered. Go for the set-lunch menu ($15) of bento boxes, soup and noodles. Dinner is a progression of small dishes that can challenge and delight.
reviewed
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I
Kenzan@Gpo
The casual kid sister of posh Kenzan makes the best sushi rolls in Melbourne. Yes, there’s spicy tuna, but they also up the ante with soft-shell crab, intriguing sesame-coated inside-outies, and a large range of inari. All come prewrapped for lasting crunch. There’s sashimi, ramen, lunch sets and tea as well.
reviewed
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J
Go Sushi Train
Pull up a stool at this hip sushi circuit, hidden down a lane off Mitchell St. Despite the obscure location it's hugely popular, especially on 'Super Sushi Saturday' (all sushi $4 from 10.30am to 3.30pm). Can't get enough of those eel-and-cucumber rolls...
reviewed
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K
Hako Japanese
This Japanese restaurant, housed in a laneway warehouse space, is more downtown Tokyo than Kyoto tea ceremony. Lunch is a simple affair, with city workers opting for the fresh and tasty lunch set. Dinner sees Masahiro Horie pushing the menu beyond the basics; go for his specials to get the full measure of his talent.
reviewed
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L
Uchi Lounge
Dress up creatively - your server certainly will, and the decor will reflect that. Blissful Japanese food takes centre stage; however, start with chilled udon with lime ponzu and follow with kingfish sashimi, seared tuna or tempura oysters. The raspberry lychee or ginger sake goes down real smooth.
reviewed
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M
Tempura Hajime
Completely unmarked door, tiny and almost impossible to get a booking? Check. Cult status is assured, and in this case, warranted. Hajime takes you on an edible journey with a set menu of beautifully pondered on and prepared small dishes made with seasonal produce.
reviewed
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N
Cherry Blossom
This 1st-floor restaurant is reminiscent of an Iron Chef cook-off, with two chefs working at opposite ends of the restaurant floor. Book ahead for sushi, teppanyaki and plenty of theatre.
reviewed
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O
Kinoko Sushi Bar
Choo choo choose something from the sushi train or let the Japanese chef slice up a plate of fresh sashimi. This is a lively place where the Asahi also goes down well. It's also one of the last places open for dinner.
reviewed
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P
Sushi Ten
This cheap and cheerful Japanese canteen pulls the lunchtime crowds that know the sushi is fresh. They also do a range of simple but authentic soups and rice dishes.
reviewed
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Q
Wabi Sabi Salon
Expect kooky Japanese decor and delish Japanese cuisine, including bento boxes that change daily (you choose meat, fish or veg and the Japanese chefs do the rest).
reviewed
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R
Nobu
We’re still not sure if Melbourne really needed a Nobu in the first place, but it’s a seductive space for those out to impress.
reviewed
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S
Koko
Very traditional Japanese dining with ultra-fresh fish, teppanyaki and a sake bar.
reviewed
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Tanakas
Sushi including surprisingly good kangaroo nori rolls and fresh juices.
reviewed
